Thursday, September 15, 2016

34 Blessings!

3-4

Like, 34 years of being alive.
I'm impressed, actually.

Well, every year I begin my "come back" from taking a hiatus in writing, and write a post on the number of blessings (corresponding to the number of years I've been alive, of course) that happened the previous year. (I also always vow to write and post more frequently, insert eye-rolling emoji here.)

In no particular order, here we go:

1.) I'm still alive. (Actually, I'd rather be with Jesus, but, I'll take this.)
2.) Pretty sure I figured out my allergy, or at least, discovered what was making me borderline miserable. (Thanks Dairy, thanks A LOT.)
3.) Survived a re-hurt heart.
4.) Grew closer to a family that I have come to thoroughly enjoy and respect.
5.) Helped lead worship at my favorite day-of-the-year event: Simply Worship. (That was a Top 10 life-moment for me, really.)
6.) Had an amazing Thanksgiving. #somuchlaughter
7.) Grew closer to my BFFL (of now 15 years)
8.) Spoke up for myself more than I ever have. (And have SO FAR left to go).
9.) Got an under-cut hairstyle.
10.) Got an A-symmetrical hairstyle.
11.) Got more white hair. (Seriously, I love it now.)
12.) Got to be a shoulder for a couple of people to cry on. (I recommend being that person to others. It reminds you there's more to life than what just you're going through.
13.) COFFEE
14.) COFFEE
15.) COFFEE
16.) Which reminds me: I found out Gilmore Girls is coming out with 4 new episodes. (Hey, don't judge!)
17.) Realized how much I love my co-workers even more than I thought.
18.) Had some AMAZING kids in my room.
19.) Learned to deadlift.
20.) Learned that sometimes it really is possible to agree to disagree.
21.) READ SOME AMAZING AMAZING BOOKS. (Harry Potter, Narnia, Lone Survivor, the Last Jihad, just to name a few.)
22.) Bought my first pair of Converse.
23.) Had some amazing quiet times with God Almighty.
24.) Had an AMAZING summer at camp.
25.) WATCHED GOD PROVIDE FOR ME OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND WATCHED GOD PROVIDE FOR ME OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER ANDWATCHED GOD PROVIDE FOR ME OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER ANDWATCHED GOD PROVIDE FOR ME OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER ANDWATCHED GOD PROVIDE FOR ME OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER ANDWATCHED GOD PROVIDE FOR ME OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER ANDWATCHED GOD PROVIDE FOR ME OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND.... No guys, #BUTREALLY
26.) Applied to a Worship School
27.) Got accepted to said Worship School.
28.) Watched as my Church family grew and grew closer to God.
29.) Met some amazing new people.
30.) Got my favoritist bedroom that I have ever had.
31.) Learned that it's okay to enjoy time off and not feel guilty. (Wait, I'm still learning that?!)
32.) Got a new lap top. The kind in which you touch the screen. A M A Z I N G!!! (Just one problem though: I forget all the others DON'T!)
33.) Learned (moreso) that life was truly created to be lived in community: not by yourself. (That's PRIDE. That's a sin. That causes you to be more like the Devil than God. Just sayin'.)
34.) Realizing that I can't pick which blessing to end on isn't really a problem-- it's a blessing.

So Lord, as I enter this year: make me more like You. Help me to love you more this year than I did last year. Open my eyes to how you see others: and give me your heart to serve them. Burden me who to pray for and how- and when. And Lord? Even so, come.